This video is stunning. I've never seen such a simple and clear explanation of how a differential works. For those who aren't yet sure of how it works is useful. For others, is still nice to watch.
Here's the link: YouTube - Around the Corner
The Special One
This video is stunning. I've never seen such a simple and clear explanation of how a differential works. For those who aren't yet sure of how it works is useful. For others, is still nice to watch.
Here's the link: YouTube - Around the Corner
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Supporting Member
very nice, now up for part 2, the limited slip differentialOriginally Posted by McReis
BTW the Lego film might also give some answers...
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Rookie
That video was awesome in that they actually built the differential and showed the purpouse of each mechanize. They definitely need one for an LSD.
On a modern open differential is it still common practice to connector the drive shaft to one of the half shafts? Or is the power sent to the differential itself and then split through the gears?
I ask because in my two RWD vehicles if I break the rear end loose while traveling straight they always want to rotate the same direction. So they are very easy to rotate counter-clockwise but it is a lot more work to go clockwise. If that is still common practice it would explain this behavior.
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Super Moderator
I have wondered this also sometimes, but on fwd cars.
Since there are some snow up here the amount of hand-break slides is high.
There also i feel the the counter-clockwise direction is the easiest way.
I have often thought that your position in the car (left side for me) makes it psychological easier to go around counter clockwise. I also feel that I have more control going counter clockwise doing a hand break slide.
Though, I also have a RWD car with an LSD, which is used in winter time. The difference disappears on that car. It's very easy to go around, both ways.
Rookie
I too would really like to get an LSD for my Celica just for the consistency, I think it would make driving in the snow a lot more enjoyable.
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Enthusiast
On a modern car (basically any time after the dif was invented) power always goes to the dif then to the two wheels.
The easiest way to think about how a LSD works is imagine a brake that tries to keep the left and right wheel spinning at the same speed. It makes it harder but not impossible for the wheels to spin separately. Basically all passive LSD's work that way. The difference is how they control the "brake". Some simple kinds are the spring loaded clutch pack which really is just a brake that tries to keep the two rear wheels spinning at the same speeds.
The viscous system in really simple terms (really really simple) is like having to paddle wheels in the same water. When the wheels spin at the same speed the paddles don't have to do anything. When they go at different speeds the paddles start to work against each other. Again, the system tries to make the wheels spin at the same speed.
Difs like the Torsen are more complex but ultimately they again try to apply the brakes between the two wheels.
Enthusiast
AFAIK differential gears were invented in 1897 by David Shearer of South Australia, who built a steam car with a differential inside left rear wheel hub.
Rookie
That what I thought, but then what leads to the consistently asymmetric power delivery?
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Enthusiast
Well since we are talking about an open differential then I would say that maybe the difference in half-shaft lengths makes it easier for that wheel to get the power...
But that could only be true for FWD cars...
Power, whether measured as HP, PS, or KW is what accelerates cars and gets it up to top speed. Power also determines how far you take a wall when you hit it
Engine torque is an illusion.
Enthusiast
I would also add things like weight and balance. If you have one wheel with consistently less weight on it that could make a difference in both FWD and RWD. Also, if we are talking about a Celica old enough to be RWD it is quite possible that we have some tweak in the chassis or drive line that causes inconsistent application of power to the rear wheels.
Actually, didn't the RWD Celicas use sold axles in back? If that were the case, the torque of the drive prop shaft causes the axle to twist in one direction (reaction to the prop shaft torque). Any of the drag races should be able to tell you about that. That axle twist results in more load to one wheel than the other.
Furniture
Very interesting.
Thanks for sharing.
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Visca Catalunya!
Member
All i know is that its a bitch to replace when its broken. It broke on my car two weeks agocar less ever since, but she's back tomorrow hopefully.
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Furniture
Nice video. Very vintage, but still awesome. Entertaining too.
Amazing that Lego can reproduce these machines too. My Technic off roader has 3 differentials.
Super Moderator
Nice to see you have switched to educational videos to fill your days at work. Think about if you got payed per video on you-tube you watched.. You would have been a millionaire.
Enthusiast
Really good find. I may send that off to some profs I know. Perhaps all these years later it will find use in school.
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